Instant Alert: This Eastern European country technically doesn't exist — but it's home to 500,000 people

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   This Eastern European country technically doesn't exist — but it's home to 500,000 people by Courtney Verrill on Apr 1, 2016, 1:35 PM Advertisement Transnistria, a 125-mile-long territory on the border of Moldova and Ukraine, is home to half a million people. It has its own military, police, parliament, and postal system — and yet, you can't find it on an international map, and it is completely unrecognized by the United Nations.  In 1990, Transnistria declared independence from Moldova, hoping to remain part of the Soviet Union when Moldova broke away. It later fought a bloody war for self-rule from Moldova in 1992.  Now, Transnistria cannot truly achieve its independence until at least one other country decides to recognize it. Many Transnistrians hold strong pro-Russian views, and the area is dotted with relics of the Soviet era. Photographer Justin Barton visited Transnistria in 2015 and had an opportunity to photograph officials and residents of the state. "Patriotism in a country that remains unrecognized feels like a contradiction to many," Barton tells Business Insider. "But perhaps it's part of the human condition."  Below, meet some officials and locals of the country that technically doesn't exist. SEE ALSO: 14 haunting images that show the emptiness of Britain's only desert Although Transnistria is invisible on most maps outside of its borders and is unrecognized by the UN, it has a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for the country's diplomacy as well as for providing support for the country's citizens who are abroad. Below is Nina Shtanski, the head foreign minister. Transnistria also has all of the institutions of a fully fledged state, including police, a government, and an army. Nikolay Smolenskiy is a Police Lieutenant Colonel Expert in Transnistrian Criminal Law. Tiraspol State University is the only college in Transnistria. Nikolay Babilunga is a professor of Transnistrian History. He is also the creator of the history curriculum — which outlines their historical right to independence — for the university and other schools. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011